Nanostructure and properties of polysiloxane-layered silicate nanocomposites

The relationship between nanostructure and properties in polysiloxane layer ed silicate nanocomposites is presented. Solvent uptake (swelling) in dispe rsed nanocomposites was dramatically decreased as compared to conventional composites, though intercalated nanocomposites and immiscible hybrids exhib ited more conventional behavior. The swelling behavior is correlated to the amount of bound polymer (bound rubber) in the nanocomposites. Thermal anal ysis of the bound polymer chains showed an increase and broadening of the g lass-transition temperature and loss of the crystallization transition. Bot h modulus and solvent uptake could be related to the amount of bound polyme r formed in the system. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.